Health Talk Today

Shop Around the Food Store

There’s a real psychology to the layout of a food store. Most of us don’t pay attention to it, but the placement of every product is carefully planned. Eye level shelves are the premium products. Lower level shelves are for the cheaper products. And the lower level shelves, especially in the cereal aisle, are eye level for kids.

I’ve never been one to breeze thru the food store grabbing things as I go. I spend a good deal of time reading labels, comparing products and determining which size is the best buy. And I use coupons when I can.

Today, I’m more apt to shop AROUND the food store and not walk up and down every aisle. The perimeter of the food store is where all the fresh food is located – The produce, meat and dairy sections. Shopping AROUND the food store keeps me away from all the boxed and canned foods. Those are the products that contain extra salt, hydrogenated oils, trans fats, sugar, chemicals, artificial colors, artificial flavors and preservatives. Sure I love potato chips, mayonnaise and brownies. But, sparingly. It’s not part of my regular diet.

Over the years I’ve made little changes that have added up to eating much more healthy and simply. I like lots of salad and vegetables. I’ve cut back on meat, especially beef and pork. And food is prepared simply – raw vegetables or lightly steamed or sauteed. I don’t add sauces and gravy to my meals. It cuts down on prep time, but most importantly, I get to really taste each food item.

Marilyn Kvasnok

Posted in: Food, Healthy Living, Shopping.
Tagged: Food · Food Shopping · Healthy Living · Shopping
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Tribute to Randy Pausch

by Marilyn.

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“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
–Randy Pausch

Like most of us, I followed Randy Pausch from afar. As a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, he taught all of us much more than computer sciences. He showed us how to live. Randy lived every day to the fullest.

I have a strong suspicion that his attitude was the same before he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His positive attitude permeated his life. Thanks to the Internet, we all got to share in his journey. Randy’s website is a timeline of events from his diagnosis to his passing.

I will remember Randy. He was only 47, but into his short life he crammed a lifetime of memories for his family. He may have lost his battle with cancer, but he lived with integrity and courage to the end. And he won the hearts of everyone who met him – whether in person or virtually.

ABC News Report: Randy Pausch, ‘Last Lecture’ Professor Dies

Interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer

In his book, The Last Lecture,Randy has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come. — Amazon editorial review

Marilyn Kvasnok

Posted in: Health Issues, Motivation and Inspiration, People, Quotes, Videos.
Tagged: Cancer · Carnegie Mellon University · Health Issues · Inspirational · Motivation · Motivational Messages · People · Quotes · Randy Pausch · Videos
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Hurricane Dolly

by Marilyn.

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I’m sitting at my computer with one eye on Fox News. It’s sunny and breezy today in northeast Ohio, but stormy and very windy along the Texas coast. They’re being pounded with winds over 100 miles per hour as Hurricane Dolly comes ashore.

I’ve been thru several hurricanes in south Florida. As a college student, it was an opportunity to party. But now, as an adult, I’m very aware of the dangers associated with a hurricane.

The important thing is to be prepared. In south Florida, we have a survival plan. We invested in hurricane shutters. We keep a battery operated lamp, radio, flashlights, plenty of batteries, a propane stove, a charged up cell phone and non-perishable food. When a hurricane is possible, we keep the car gas tank full and stock up on water.

I think it’s a good idea to have a survival plan no matter where you are. Families should have a meeting place away from the house in case they’re separated during a disaster.

It’s easy to be complacent. And we’re all busy with our day-to-day living. Everyone thinks, “It won’t happen to me.” But, sometimes bad things do happen. Having a plan gives us peace of mind.

Resources:
Family Disaster Plan
Hurricane Tracking Chart
Safety and Preparedness Fact Sheet

Marilyn Kvasnok

Posted in: Holidays and Events.
Tagged: Florida · Hurricanes · Ohio · Texas
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How to Recognize a Stroke

by Marilyn.

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Stroke warning signs

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke .

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking four simple questions:

Ask the individual to SMILE.
Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE coherently.
(i.e. It is sunny out today)
Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
Ask the person to STICK OUT HIS TONGUE.
If the tongue is crooked, if it goes to one side, that is also an indication of a stroke.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Download and print this fact sheet from the American Heart Association to learn the warning signs and teach others.

Marilyn Kvasnok

Posted in: Health Issues.
Tagged: Health Issues · Stroke
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Where There’s Smoke . . .

by Marilyn.

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We used to have parties. Big parties with lots of friends, good food, drinks and music. The house would be filled with the happy sounds of people having fun – And smoking. How did we ever put up with it?

Then, a strange thing happened at one party. The ashtrays were empty! Finally, all our friends had quit smoking. Maybe the Attorney General’s warning’s had gotten to us. Maybe we just wised up. Whatever it was, it was over. That was years ago. We haven’t had an ashtray in the house since.

What a turn-around . . .
I had gotten to the point of walking out of restaurants if they allowed smoking. Even if they had a “non-smoking section.” Isn’t that like having a no-pee zone in your pool? Eventually we found the restaurants that were smoke free. And now, they all are. So, we’re able to go to any restaurant.

Sometimes, you can tell if a person smokes just by looking at them. Years of smoking ages the skin and deepens the wrinkles. And the smoke lingers in their hair and on their clothes. It probably seeps right thru their skin.

There’s lots of help for smokers who want to quit. The key is “wanting” to quit. Smoking is no longer “cool.” It’s no longer “in.” But, the addiction is the hard part to overcome.

Resources for smokers who are ready to quit . . .